Direct dating and identity of fiber temper in pre-contact Bushman (Masarwa) pottery

Abstract

Several 14C dates have been obtained from the fibre temper in cooking bowls made by the forbears of the Zeekoe River Bushmen (Basarwa), South Africa. Although the temper appears to be burned grass, the Q (13) C values do not match those of local C4 grasses or even those for the montane C3 grasses from adjacent ranges. Instead, the Q (13) C values are typical for local springbok bone. XRF analysis of whole sherds show unusually high Ca and P values which support the proposition that crushed bone was added to the grass. However, SEM and other chemical studies distinguish clearly between bone-tempered sherds and the Zeekoe valley ware. While the source of Ca is identified as caliche inclusions in the temper, the high P values may be from select clays, ashed grass, or absorbed blood. Visual characteristics rule out the possibility of animal dung temper. Blood and fat residues absorbed by grass temper could be the combined cause of anomalous Q (13) C and high P values.